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Gawel K, Hulas-Stasiak M, Marszalek-Grabska M, Grenda A, Siekierska A, Kosheva N, van der Ent W, Esguerra CV, Krawczyk P, Turski WA. Induction of seizures and initiation of epileptogenesis by pilocarpine in zebrafish larvae. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1418606. [PMID: 39165716 PMCID: PMC11333333 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1418606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Preclinical models of seizures and epilepsy in rodents contributed substantially to the discovery of currently available antiseizure medications. These were also broadly used for investigation of processes of epileptogenesis. Nevertheless, rodent models pose some limitations, thus, new models using alternative species are in high demand. The aim of this study was to describe a new model of seizures/epilepsy induced by the cholinomimetic agent, pilocarpine (PILO), in larval zebrafish. Methods Local field potential (LFP) recordings were conducted to analyze electroencephalographic discharges and correlate it with larval behavior. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, as well as TUNEL staining were performed to analyze morphology and apoptosis, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was undertaken for gene expression analysis. Results Acute exposure to PILO, in a concentration-dependent manner, induces electroencephalographic discharges in larval zebrafish, which behaviorally manifest as decreased locomotion and moving time, but enhanced movement velocity. The PILO-induced seizure-like activity is behaviorally distinct from this induced by the application of chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Zebrafish larvae previously exposed to PILO (2 h), after a washing out period, exhibit spontaneous, unprovoked discharges and apoptotic changes in their brains. Significance Here, we comprehensively investigated a new model of PILO-induced seizures/epilepsy in larval zebrafish. We propose that this model may be used to study epileptogenesis and for antiseizure drug screening purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Gawel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Hulas-Stasiak
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Marszalek-Grabska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Grenda
- Department of Pneumology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Siekierska
- VirusBank Platform, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nataliia Kosheva
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Forskningsparken, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camila V. Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Forskningsparken, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pawel Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar A. Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Barker-Haliski M, Hawkins NA. Innovative drug discovery strategies in epilepsy: integrating next-generation syndrome-specific mouse models to address pharmacoresistance and epileptogenesis. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-15. [PMID: 39075876 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2384455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although there are numerous treatment options already available for epilepsy, over 30% of patients remain resistant to these antiseizure medications (ASMs). Historically, ASM discovery has relied on the demonstration of efficacy through the use of 'traditional' acute in vivo seizure models (e.g. maximal electroshock, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol, and kindling). However, advances in genetic sequencing technologies and remaining medical needs for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy or special patient populations have encouraged recent efforts to identify novel compounds in syndrome-specific models of epilepsy. Syndrome-specific models, including Scn1a variant models of Dravet syndrome and APP/PS1 mice associated with familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease, have already led to the discovery of two mechanistically novel treatments for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), namely cannabidiol and soticlestat, respectively. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors discuss how it is likely that next-generation drug discovery efforts for epilepsy will more comprehensively integrate syndrome-specific epilepsy models into early drug discovery providing the reader with their expert perspectives. EXPERT OPINION The percentage of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy has remained unchanged despite over 30 marketed ASMs. Consequently, there is a high unmet need to reinvent and revise discovery strategies to more effectively address the remaining needs of patients with specific epilepsy syndromes, including drug-resistant epilepsy and DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole A Hawkins
- Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Whyte-Fagundes PA, Vance A, Carroll A, Figueroa F, Manukyan C, Baraban SC. Testing of putative antiseizure medications in a preclinical Dravet syndrome zebrafish model. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae135. [PMID: 38707709 PMCID: PMC11069116 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a severe genetic epilepsy primarily caused by de novo mutations in a voltage-activated sodium channel gene (SCN1A). Patients face life-threatening seizures that are largely resistant to available anti-seizure medications. Preclinical Dravet syndrome animal models are a valuable tool to identify candidate anti-seizure medications for these patients. Among these, scn1lab mutant zebrafish, exhibiting spontaneous seizure-like activity, are particularly amenable to large-scale drug screening. Thus far, we have screened more than 3000 drug candidates in scn1lab zebrafish mutants, identifying valproate, stiripentol, and fenfluramine e.g. Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, with clinical application in the Dravet syndrome population. Successful phenotypic screening in scn1lab mutant zebrafish is rigorous and consists of two stages: (i) a locomotion-based assay measuring high-velocity convulsive swim behaviour and (ii) an electrophysiology-based assay, using in vivo local field potential recordings, to quantify electrographic seizure-like events. Historically, nearly 90% of drug candidates fail during translation from preclinical models to the clinic. With such a high failure rate, it becomes necessary to address issues of replication and false positive identification. Leveraging our scn1lab zebrafish assays is one approach to address these problems. Here, we curated a list of nine anti-seizure drug candidates recently identified by other groups using preclinical Dravet syndrome models: 1-Ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone, AA43279, chlorzoxazone, donepezil, lisuride, mifepristone, pargyline, soticlestat and vorinostat. First-stage locomotion-based assays in scn1lab mutant zebrafish identified only 1-Ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone, chlorzoxazone and lisuride. However, second-stage local field potential recording assays did not show significant suppression of spontaneous electrographic seizure activity for any of the nine anti-seizure drug candidates. Surprisingly, soticlestat induced frank electrographic seizure-like discharges in wild-type control zebrafish. Taken together, our results failed to replicate clear anti-seizure efficacy for these drug candidates highlighting a necessity for strict scientific standards in preclinical identification of anti-seizure medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige A Whyte-Fagundes
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Anjelica Vance
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Aloe Carroll
- Behavioral Neurosciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Francisco Figueroa
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Catherine Manukyan
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Scott C Baraban
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Locubiche S, Ordóñez V, Abad E, Scotto di Mase M, Di Donato V, De Santis F. A Zebrafish-Based Platform for High-Throughput Epilepsy Modeling and Drug Screening in F0. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2991. [PMID: 38474238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish model has emerged as a reference tool for phenotypic drug screening. An increasing number of molecules have been brought from bench to bedside thanks to zebrafish-based assays over the last decade. The high homology between the zebrafish and the human genomes facilitates the generation of zebrafish lines carrying loss-of-function mutations in disease-relevant genes; nonetheless, even using this alternative model, the establishment of isogenic mutant lines requires a long generation time and an elevated number of animals. In this study, we developed a zebrafish-based high-throughput platform for the generation of F0 knock-out (KO) models and the screening of neuroactive compounds. We show that the simultaneous inactivation of a reporter gene (tyrosinase) and a second gene of interest allows the phenotypic selection of F0 somatic mutants (crispants) carrying the highest rates of mutations in both loci. As a proof of principle, we targeted genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and we efficiently generated de facto F0 mutants in seven genes involved in childhood epilepsy. We employed a high-throughput multiparametric behavioral analysis to characterize the response of these KO models to an epileptogenic stimulus, making it possible to employ kinematic parameters to identify seizure-like events. The combination of these co-injection, screening and phenotyping methods allowed us to generate crispants recapitulating epilepsy features and to test the efficacy of compounds already during the first days post fertilization. Since the strategy can be applied to a wide range of indications, this study paves the ground for high-throughput drug discovery and promotes the use of zebrafish in personalized medicine and neurotoxicity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Locubiche
- ZeClinics S.L., Carrer de Laureà Miró, 408-410, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Ordóñez
- ZeClinics S.L., Carrer de Laureà Miró, 408-410, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Elena Abad
- ZeClinics S.L., Carrer de Laureà Miró, 408-410, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Vincenzo Di Donato
- ZeClinics S.L., Carrer de Laureà Miró, 408-410, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Flavia De Santis
- ZeClinics S.L., Carrer de Laureà Miró, 408-410, 08980 Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
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Freibauer A, Wohlleben M, Boelman C. STXBP1-Related Disorders: Clinical Presentation, Molecular Function, Treatment, and Future Directions. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2179. [PMID: 38137001 PMCID: PMC10742812 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the affordability and availability of genetic testing have led to its increased use in clinical care. The increased frequency of testing has led to STXBP1 variants being identified as one of the more common variants associated with neurological disorders. In this review, we aim to summarize the common clinical phenotypes associated with STXBP1 pathogenic variants, provide an overview of their known natural history, and discuss current research into the genotype to phenotype correlation. We will also provide an overview of the suspected normal function of the STXBP1-encoded Munc18-1 protein, animal models, and experimental techniques that have been developed to study its function and use this information to try to explain the diverse phenotypes associated with STXBP1-related disorders. Finally, we will explore current therapies for STXBP1 disorders, including an overview of treatment goals for STXBP1-related disorders, a discussion of the current evidence for therapies, and future directions of personalized medications for STXBP1-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Freibauer
- Division of Neurology, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mikayla Wohlleben
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cyrus Boelman
- Division of Neurology, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Whyte-Fagundes P, Vance A, Carroll A, Figueroa F, Manukyan C, Baraban SC. Testing of putative antiseizure drugs in a preclinical Dravet syndrome zebrafish model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.11.566723. [PMID: 38014342 PMCID: PMC10680609 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.11.566723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe genetic epilepsy primarily caused by de novo mutations in a voltage-activated sodium channel gene (SCN1A). Patients face life-threatening seizures that are largely resistant to available anti-seizure medications (ASM). Preclinical DS animal models are a valuable tool to identify candidate ASMs for these patients. Among these, scn1lab mutant zebrafish exhibiting spontaneous seizure-like activity are particularly amenable to large-scale drug screening. Prior screening in a scn1lab mutant zebrafish line generated using N-ethyl-Nnitrosourea (ENU) identified valproate, stiripentol, and fenfluramine e.g., Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs with clinical application in the DS population. Successful phenotypic screening in scn1lab mutant zebrafish consists of two stages: (i) a locomotion-based assay measuring high-velocity convulsive swim behavior and (ii) an electrophysiology-based assay, using in vivo local field potential (LFP) recordings, to quantify electrographic seizure-like events. Using this strategy more than 3000 drug candidates have been screened in scn1lab zebrafish mutants. Here, we curated a list of nine additional anti-seizure drug candidates recently identified in preclinical models: 1-EBIO, AA43279, chlorzoxazone, donepezil, lisuride, mifepristone, pargyline, soticlestat and vorinostat. First-stage locomotion-based assays in scn1lab mutant zebrafish identified only 1-EBIO, chlorzoxazone and lisuride. However, second-stage LFP recording assays did not show significant suppression of spontaneous electrographic seizure activity for any of the nine anti-seizure drug candidates. Surprisingly, soticlestat induced frank electrographic seizure-like discharges in wild-type control zebrafish. Taken together, our results failed to replicate clear anti-seizure efficacy for these drug candidates highlighting a necessity for strict scientific standards in preclinical identification of ASMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Whyte-Fagundes
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Vance
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A Carroll
- Behavioral Neurosciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Figueroa
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - C Manukyan
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - S C Baraban
- Epilepsy Research Laboratory and Weill Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Vaidya B, Gupta P, Laha JK, Roy I, Sharma SS. Amelioration of Parkinson's disease by pharmacological inhibition and knockdown of redox sensitive TRPC5 channels: Focus on mitochondrial health. Life Sci 2023:121871. [PMID: 37352915 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Transient receptor potential canonical 5 (TRPC5) channels are redox-sensitive cation-permeable channels involved in temperature and mechanical sensation. Increased expression and over-activation of these channels has been implicated in several central nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, depression, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, Huntington's disease and stroke. TRPC5 channel activation causes increased calcium influx which in turn activates numerous downstream signalling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that pharmacological blockade and knockdown of TRPC5 channels could attenuate the behavioural deficits and molecular changes seen in CNS disease models such as MPTP/MPP+ induced Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, PD was induced after bilateral intranigral infusion of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to the Sprague Dawley rats. Additionally, SH-SY5Y neurons were exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to further determine the role of TRPC5 channels in PD. KEY FINDINGS We used clemizole hydrochloride, a potent TRPC5 channel blocker, to reverse the behavioural deficits, molecular changes and biochemical parameters in MPTP/MPP+-induced-PD. Furthermore, knockdown of TRPC5 expression using siRNA also closely phenocopies these effects. We further observed restoration of tyrosine hydroxylase levels and improved mitochondrial health following clemizole treatment and TRPC5 knockdown. These changes were accompanied by diminished calcium influx, reduced levels of reactive oxygen species and decreased apoptotic signalling in the PD models. SIGNIFICANCE These findings collectively suggest that increased expression of TRPC5 channels is a potential risk factor for PD and opens a new therapeutic window for the development of pharmacological agents targeting neurodegeneration and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupesh Vaidya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Process Chemistry), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S. A. S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Joydev K Laha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Process Chemistry), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S. A. S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Shyam Sunder Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Janković SM, Janković SV, Vojinović R, Lukić S. Investigational new drugs for the treatment of Dravet syndrome: an update. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:325-331. [PMID: 36932738 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2193680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While there are already approved anticonvulsants for treatment of children with Dravet syndrome, disease modifying therapy is at its beginning. AREAS COVERED This narrative review is updating the latest information about efficacy and safety of both anticonvulsant and disease modifying investigational drugs for Dravet syndrome. Relevant publications were searched for in MEDLINE, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, SCINDEKS, and CLINICALTRIALS.GOV databases, from the dates of their foundation till January 2023. EXPERT OPINION The main advancements were made in the treatment of Dravet syndrome with confirmed haploinsufficiency of SCN1A gene. The application of antisense oligonucleotides has so far proven to be the most successful within disease-modifying therapy, but it also requires further refinement of the methodology of application and delivery to target cells, as well as additional testing of the effectiveness of antisense oligonucleotides outside of TANGO technology. Also, the full potential of gene therapy has yet to be explored, given that high capacity adenoviral vectors that can incorporate the SCN1A gene have recently been prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Snežana V Janković
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Radiša Vojinović
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Snežana Lukić
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
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Aquatic Freshwater Vertebrate Models of Epilepsy Pathology: Past Discoveries and Future Directions for Therapeutic Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158608. [PMID: 35955745 PMCID: PMC9368815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is an international public health concern that greatly affects patients’ health and lifestyle. About 30% of patients do not respond to available therapies, making new research models important for further drug discovery. Aquatic vertebrates present a promising avenue for improved seizure drug screening and discovery. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis and tropicalis) are increasing in popularity for seizure research due to their cost-effective housing and rearing, similar genome to humans, ease of genetic manipulation, and simplicity of drug dosing. These organisms have demonstrated utility in a variety of seizure-induction models including chemical and genetic methods. Past studies with these methods have produced promising data and generated questions for further applications of these models to promote discovery of drug-resistant seizure pathology and lead to effective treatments for these patients.
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